Thiruvananthapuram, 16 Oct (H.S.): The Kerala Cabinet has raised the annual family income ceiling for assistance from the Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund to Rs 3 lakh from Rs 2 lakh, expanding eligibility for financial support.

Announcing the decisions, the Chief Minister said the Cabinet had also enhanced the powers of officials and ministers to sanction assistance through the online portal.

Under the revised arrangement, the Chief Minister can approve assistance of up to Rs 5 lakh, while the Revenue Minister can sanction up to Rs 1 lakh. The Revenue Department’s Special Secretary can authorise payments of up to Rs 50,000 and district collectors up to Rs 25,000.

The Cabinet also decided to provide each district collector with an untied fund of Rs 1 crore to respond to emergencies.

In another decision, the Cabinet approved the draft Kerala State Data Policy 2026, prepared by the Kerala State IT Mission.

The policy envisages a statewide framework for classifying, sharing and responsibly using data generated, collected, stored or processed using public funds by government departments, offices, agencies and institutions.

It aims to facilitate secure and regulated sharing of accurate government data through a common data exchange platform, while improving data quality and interoperability.

The proposal emerged from the need for a technical system enabling government departments to exchange information with one another.

The Cabinet sanctioned funds to purchase new vehicles to replace 152 Revenue Department vehicles that have completed 15 years of registration and are currently unfit for use.

It also extended until April 30, 2027, the benefit of bitumen price difference compensation, introduced as a relief measure following an exceptional rise in prices triggered by the West Asia war.

The benefit will apply to all engineering departments and public sector undertakings executing road works, bringing them within the scope of the extended relief arrangement.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman